LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Illinoiscomptroller; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Schedules

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Vacation time

Job summary

The Department of Children and Family Services is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist to join our team in Springfield. The role focuses on contract administration, negotiation support, and policy guidance to management and staff.

We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for training, and a supportive work environment with a hybrid schedule. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.
• Requires two years of professional human resources experience.
• Preferred qualifications include extensive labor relations and contract administration experience.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Labor Relations Specialist.
• Acts as a hearing officer as needed for grievance processes.
• Serves as a labor relations liaison on negotiated contracts, statutes, and policies.
• Provides input in labor/management meetings and communicates Department policies.
• Conducts formal training sessions for management on contract administration and labor relations policies.
• Acts as a member of the management team and supports staff on labor relations matters.
• Performs other duties within the scope of duties enumerated.

Skills

Labor relations

Contract administration

Training sessions

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID: 58440
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 09/18/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST - 19693
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $7,083 to $8,333 Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Merit Comp Code: Confidential (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC062 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: Springfield - 406 E Monroe St
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Labor Relations Specialist. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership and communication capabilities. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Labor Relations Specialist
• As assigned, serves as a hearing officer pursuant to the various relevant contractual provisions at the second and third levels of the grievance process
• Serves as a labor relations liaison, providing technical assistance on all negotiated collective bargaining contracts, state and federal statutes, executive orders, and DCFS policies relating to personnel practices
• In coordination with appropriate management staff, as directed, provides input into labor/management meetings and ongoing informal discussions with union representatives to communicate Department policies and listen to employee concerns
• Conducts formal training sessions for management staff regarding contract administration, collective bargaining agreement revisions, and labor relations policies
• Serves as an active member of the management team, providing members with information on various labor relations matters
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.
• Requires two years of professional human resources experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of professional experience in the field of labor relations in a public or business organization
• 3 years of professional experience working in the administration and application of collective bargaining contracts in a public or business organization
• 2 years of professional experience working in the administration and application of Federal Merit Standards, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, and/or the Civil Rights Act in a public or business organization
• 2 years of professional experience serving as a hearing officer regarding contractual provisions in a public or business organization
• 2 years of professional experience serving in a liaison capacity in a public or business organization
• 2 years of professional experience conducting formal training sessions in a public or business organization

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to pass a background check.
2. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
3. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI BillTraining/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: